Grade-level.



PATENTEB FEB. 6, 1906.

D. W. PBLPREY & W. S. BIDDLE.

GREE LEVEL* Arrmurno mmm mw. 1e, wos.

,WMZ/Hayley n l Q Witnesses 0 mvmo Y l ff flfl, by Y Y f Y ff f .V1

.N f f l l u Attorneys UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

DAVI l) W. PELFREY AND WILLIAM S. BlDDLE, OF HALEYVILLE, ALABAMA.

GRADE-LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

To all whom t may concern:

Bc it known that We, DAvm W. PELFREY and WILLIAM S. Bionicle, citizensof the United States, residing at llaleyville, in the county of Winstonand State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Grade-Level, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rade-levels; and it has for its objects tosimp ify and improve the construction and operation of this class ofdevices and to present an article which may be conveniently folded insmall compass for transportation.

vWith these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in theimproved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts,which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

ln the accompanying drawin s has been illustrated a simple and preferreform of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitationis necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited,but that the right is reserved to any changes, alterations, andmodiiications to which recourse may be had Within the scope of theinvention and Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing theefficiency of the same.

In the drawin s, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a gradeevelconstructed in accordance with the rinciples of the invention. Fig. 2 isa side e evation of the same. Fig?, is a sectional detail view taken onthe plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

Corresponding parts in the several iigures are indicated throughout bysimilar characters of reference.

The frame of the improved grade-level is composed of two bars l 1,having oblique ends 2 2 and connected by means of a hin e 3 ait the ointthereof, so as to be capable o oeing fo ded closelv to ether for storageor trans ortation, While y adjustin the side mem ers to the positionshown in ig. 1,With their oblique ends 'abutting upon one another, theyWill form an inverted V, which constitutes a part of the supportingmeans of th-e device. A third supporting member or leg 4 is formed b abar havin a tubular head 5, through w 'ch extends a olt 6, serving toconnect apair of blocks 8 8, having tapering ends provided -withrecesses 9, that are interiori threaded for the reception of bolts 10,which extend through a ertures 11 in the supporting members 1 1. ytightening the bolts 10 it Will be seen that the side members 1 1 willbe drawn toward each other and toward the intermediate leg or supportingmember 4, Which latter is ca able of Swingin freely upon the bolt 6,tius enabling t e frame to be adjusted in the manner of a tripod.

Pivotally connected with one of the supportin members 1 is a brace-bar12, which is also a justably connected with the opposite member 1 bymeans of a bolt 13, having a thumb-nut 14. The brace-bar 12 has abracket member 15, with which is pivotally connected the level-bar 16,carrying a spiritlevel 17 and a compass 18 of ordinary construction. Thefree end of the level-bar 16 also carries an index-plate 19, having aslot 20, adjustably engaging a fastening member 21 upon the brace-bar12. The latter is also preferably provided with a pointer 22 to enablethe position of the index-plate to be correctly ascertained.

,The operation of this device will be readil 1 understood. After theframe has been affjusted in position u on the sloping surface of theground the leve -bar is adjusted until it is in a true horizontalosition, when the position of the index will indicate the deviation ofthe grade or slope from the horizontal.

Havm thus described the invention, what is claims is 1. In agrade-level, a frame including legs or side members havin obliquehingedlyconnected ends, a third eg having a tubular head, a pivot forsaid head including a bolt and a pair of end members connected thereby,and tightening-bolts extending through apertures in the side members ofthe frame and engaging threaded recesses in the ends of the pivotmember.

2. In a grade-level, a frame includin a pair of side members and a thirdpivotalllysupported member, and pivotal supporting means for said thirdmember including means whereby the side members of the frame are drawntoward each other and toward said third member- IOC 3. In a grade-level,a frame including side In testimony that We claim the foregoing 1omembers, a brace connected pivotally with as our own We have heretoaffixed our signaonehofh saidh side merrllbers and dtchably tures in thepresence of Jnwo witnesses. wit t e ot er, a brac et u on sai race, abar pivotally connected Wit the bracket and carrying a level, and anindex-plate eonneot- J J ed with the level-carrying bar and having aWitnesses: slot engaging a fastening member upon the C. L. HALEY,brace-bar. A. C. DREWREY.

